Whitton Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 129974 Inspection date 20 December 2005 Inspector Suman Willis

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1992. She works with another childminder between the hours of 08:00 and 17:00. There are currently 4 other childminders registered to mind at this address, all working on a variety of days. The childminder lives with her husband and 2 adult children aged 17 and 19 years. The conservatory and family room are used for childminding purpose with access to the lounge for undisturbed sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for 6 children in total and when working with other childminders at the above premises, does not care for more than 6 children

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 under 8 years. There are currently 17 children on roll aged between 6 months and 4 years. The childminder provides flexible care for children from 6 months to 4 years all year round. The family have no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy physical activities through their daily play. They enjoy regular fresh air and are developing their physical skills as they use ride-on toys in the garden. Children manoeuvre prams and buggies with ease around the play room, therefore developing their understanding of space. Children's understanding of good health and hygiene is well promoted. The effective procedures such as using disposable gloves when changing nappies help to minimise cross infection. Children are beginning to understand the importance of managing their own personal hygiene by washing their hands before meals and after toileting, therefore also developing their independent skills. Children's health needs are fully met because the childminder has up to date first aid training and parents' permission to administer medication and emergency aid. Children's individual needs are well promoted through the information the childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

seeks from parents, therefore ensuring that children receive appropriate support and care at all times. Children enjoy healthy snacks as they tuck into toast and juice. They are provided with healthy lunches such as freshly cooked vegetarian pasta bake with fresh fruit to follow. Parents are also given the option of providing meals for their children. Therefore, the childminder works effectively with parents to ensure that children's individual dietary needs are met. The childminder gives regard to the 'Birth to three matters' framework which she has kept at hand for information.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe and welcoming environment. Resources for younger children are readily available and housed in appropriate storage boxes for easy access. However, resources for older children are housed in cupboards, therefore opportunities for older children to progress through free choice are limited. The childminder checks all areas for safety and ensures that equipment such as the stair gate and cupboard locks are in place to make sure that children can explore safely. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as rules for sitting at tables are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 re-enforced during lunch time. When playing outside, they have a clear understanding of their boundaries and know that ride-on toys are only used on the patio area. However, the patio area is cluttered with ride on toys, and therefore does not allow for children to move around with ease. Children are protected by the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled and comfortable in the care provided by the childminder. They are familiar with their routine as they line up to wash hands and know that they are getting ready for snacks, thus enabling them to feel secure. Children are developing their independence as they play with toys of their choosing. They engage happily in role-play around the home corner and take dolls out for walks in pretend buggies, thus developing their caring skills. Older children are learning how letters connect and delight in writing the letters of their names correctly. Their self-esteem is extended as they are rewarded with a smiley face on their picture for their achievement. Babies are developing their confidence and security as they play peek-a-boo with the childminder when crawling out of sight behind the settee. Creative art activities are planned into the daily routine and children enjoy getting

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

messy as they create pictures using glitter, tissue and glue. Children are developing their knowledge and understanding of other cultures through a range of organised activities such as making candles to celebrate the Jewish festival Chanukah.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well cared for by a childminder who seeks information from parents about their background and individual needs. This enables her to provide appropriate care for all children. Activities are organised around festivals which enables children to develop an understanding of other religions. All children have equal access to all of the resources and both boys and girls enjoy playing with dolls in the home corner, and ride on toys in the garden. Older children are given responsibilities such as handing out bibs at lunch time. Therefore they are learning to share responsibilities in a calm and friendly environment. All children are very settled and play well together. Children's individual routines are implemented by the childminder because of the good relationship developed between her and parents. Parents are provided with written information about all childminding procedures and information is shared

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Helping children make a positive contribution

informally on a daily basis. Parents also receive newsletters informing them of the topics the children will be working on, thus promoting a home link.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who has a sound knowledge and

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 understanding of child development. The childminder is generally well organised to ensure that all children are able to participate in age appropriate activities. She ensures that all adults over the age of 16 years, living or working in the house, are suitably vetted. Children benefit from the childminder encouraging all adults working with her to become registered in their own right so that they can provide appropriate care for children. The childminder values parents' input and updates her documentation to ensure that they are kept up to date with any changes which affect her childminding practice. She is in the process of updating her complaints procedure in line with Ofsted requirements. The provision meets the needs of those children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: extend the children's knowledge and understanding of the wider community, through the provision of resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, and disability; extend the children's opportunities to develop their imagination, through role-play activities and resources such as dressing-up clothes; keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children; and make garden shed windows safe or inaccessible to children. Children now have access to a wider range of play materials which enhances their development through role-play. Books and puzzles promoting children's knowledge of the wider world are available and the childminder continues to develop resources to promote positive images of the community. A written record, signed by parents, of the medication administered to children ensures that their health is monitored by both

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Improvements since the last inspection

parents and childminder. Children are now able to play safely in the garden because the glass window is covered in safety film.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Their has been no complaint made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure areas both in/outdoors are organised to enable all children to move around safely and have easy access to a wide range of age-appropriate resources.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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